Instructor
Dr. Mark Snyder
msnyder3@ju.edu
Phillips Fine Arts 207
(904) 256-7665
Office Hours M 2:30-4:00 PM, TR 2:30-4:30 PM, and by appointment.
Introduction
Welcome to Commercial Arranging. This course is the study of arranging and orchestration techniques for acoustic and electronic instruments, including ranges and timbre characteristics. Students will create arrangements for ensembles varying in size and scope in a variety of genres to blend with computer generated instruments.
Required Materials
Acoustic and MIDI Orchestration for the Contemporary Composer: A Practical Guide to Writing and Sequencing for the Studio Orchestra 2nd Edition
by Andrea Pejrolo and Richard DeRosa Routledge; 2 edition (November 11, 2016)
Course Goals
- Demonstrate skills in the use of concepts, tools, techniques and procedures to develop an arranged composition from concept to finished product.
- Develop and demonstrate an understanding of compositional processes, aesthetic properties of style.
- Demonstrate the ability to hear, identify and work conceptually with the elements of music such as rhythm, melody, harmony, structure, timbre and texture.
Critiques
Students are expected to participate in the critiques of the projects and assignments in class. Failure to do so will lower the grade of your project. Critiques are designed to offer insights, suggestions for improvement, support to encourage you to improve your work.
In addition to the above requirements, participation will be measured against the following criteria:
- Contribute original thoughts or ideas to the critiques.
- Give relevant reasons to validate points.
- Demonstrate openness to divergent points of view.
- Be respectful of the perceptions of others.
- Integrate material from previous units to formulate ideas and generate dialogue.
Schedule
August 28/30: Basic Concepts for the MIDI Composer, Arranger, and Orchestrator Read Chapter 1
September 4/6: Basic Concepts for the MIDI Composer, Arranger, and Orchestrator Read Chapter 1
September 11/13: Writing and Sequencing for the Rhythm Section Read Chapter 2
September 18/20: Writing and Sequencing for the Rhythm Section Read Chapter 2
September 25/27: Writing and Sequencing for the String Orchestra Read Chapter 3 Project 1 due
October 2/4: Writing and Sequencing for the String Orchestra ReadChapter 3
October 9/11: Writing and Sequencing for the Woodwind Section Read Chapter 4
October 16/18: Writing and Sequencing for the Woodwind Section Read Chapter 4
October 23/25: Writing and Sequencing for the Brass Section Read Chapter 5
October 30/November 1: Writing and Sequencing for the Brass Section Read Chapter 5 Project 2 due
November 6/8: Writing and Sequencing for Vocal Ensembles Read Chapter 6
November 13/15:Writing and Sequencing for Vocal Ensembles Read Chapter 6
November 27/29: Writing for Various Ensemble Sizes and Other Final Considerations Read Chapter 7
December 4/6: Writing for Various Ensemble Sizes and Other Final Considerations Read Chapter 7
Exam Time: Final Project due
*****Schedule may be ahead or behind at any point. Pay attention in class to make sure you are aware of important dates and times. The schedule will also fluctuate depending on how many of which emphasis are in the class.*****
Class Participation & Attendance
Education is mostly experiential and therefore class attendance is critical. I go to great lengths to make this course beneficial to you even if you can’t see what it’s value is in the moment. Trust me and come to class!
Communication
Please communicate with me about this course through your JU email account. That’s how I will contact you as well so please be sure to check it. Please allow up to 72 hours during the school week for a response to your email and I will afford you the same courtesy!
Absences and Excuses
Each student is directly responsible for absences and for making up missed work.
Academic Honesty
Students at JU are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty. Refer to the information on academic integrity and misconduct found in the online JU catalog, p.101. Academic dishonesty will be handled appropriately by the instructor.
Grading
The course grade will be determined from evaluations of the following:
20% Project 1
20% Project 2
20% Final Project
20% Class Assignments and Exercises
20% Reading Quizes
Student Support Services
Students at JU are expected to adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty. Refer to the information on academic integrity and misconduct found in the online 2015-16 JU catalog, p.101. Academic dishonesty will be handled appropriately by the instructor.
